Thermal ear wax extracting device

ABSTRACT

A thermal ear wax extracting device comprises a tapered tubular seal unit adapted to be partially inserted into an ear of a patient. A tapered tubular heating unit many times longer than the seal unit is removably fitted onto the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear. The heating unit is adapted to burn slowly to provide heat at the seal unit. A shield is removably fitted onto the heating unit around the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear. The shield is interposed between the head of the patient and the heating unit.

United States Patent [191 Paurice [54] THERMAL EAR WAX EXTRACTING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Torindo R. Plurice, Sanford, N.C. [73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization,

Inc., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Apr. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 246,128

[52] US. Cl ..l28/184 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6l1l1/00 [58] Field of Search ..l28/184, 303.1l,

l28/303.12, 343, 401, 350, DIG. 26, 410,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,512,274 10/1924 Caramanico ..12s/1s4 2,737,953 3/1956 Wiltein ..128/l5l 1,448,129 3/1923 Kudla... ..128/184 3,099,263 7/1963 Palazzolo ..l28/184 1111 3,734,093 14 1 May 22,1973

2,749,913 6/1956 1 Wallace ..l28/350 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 158,870 9/1954 Australia ..128/l51 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-Henry J. Recla Attorney-Daniel Jay Tick [57] ABSTRACT A thermal ear wax extracting device comprises a tapered tubular seal unit adapted to be partially inserted into an ear of a patient. A tapered tubular heating unit many times longer than the seal unit is removably fitted onto the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear. The heating unit is adapted to burn slowly to provide heat at the seal unit. A shield is removably fitted onto the heating unit around the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear. The shield is interposed between the head of the patient and the heating unit.

4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures THERMAL EAR WAX EXTRACTING DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ear wax extracting device. More particularly, the invention relates to a thermal ear wax extracting device.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a thermal ear wax extracting device of simple structure which functions with efficiency, effectiveness and reliability to remove ear wax with facility, rapidity and convenience and without pain or discomfort to the patient.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the thermal ear wax extracting device of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seal unit of the thermal ear wax extracting device of the invention. 7

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The thermal ear wax extracting device of the invention comprises a tapered tubular seal unit having a part 1 adapted to be inserted into an ear of a patient and a part 2 adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient (not shown in the FIGS.). The seal unit (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises plastic or other suitable material having a substantially annular flange 3 extending radially therefrom in an area between the part 1 of the seal unit adapted to be inserted into the ear of the patient and the part 2 of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient.

A tapered tubular heating unit 4 (FIG. 1), which is many times longer than the seal unit, is removably fitted onto the part 2 of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear. The heating unit 4 comprises a light cloth strip dipped in hot paraffin wax and rolled into a spiral. The heating unit 4 is adapted to burn slowly to provide heat at the seal unit.

A shield 5 (FIG. 1) is removably fitted onto the heating unit around the part 2 of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear. The shield 5 is interposed between the head of the patient and the heating unit 4. The shield preferably comprises a dish-shaped member hav ing an aperture formed therethrough at its axis to permit it to fit onto the heating unit 4.

A positioning member 6 of resilient material of substantially C-shaped configuration (FIG. 1) has an aperture formed therethrough adjacent one end thereof. The positioning member 6 fits around the head of the patient with the part 2 of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient passing through the aperture formed therethrough thereby positioning the device of the present invention on the head of the patient.

The device of the invention must function in an upright position for maximum efficiency, so that the patient must lie on his side.

In operation, the patient lies on his side and opens his mouth fully and the part 1 of the seal unit is inserted into the ear of said patient. When the seal unit has been inserted to its proper depth, the patient closes his mouth and the seal is complete.

The heating unit 4 is then fitted onto the part 2 of the seal unit and the aperture of the positioning member 6 is fitted of 'said part of said seal unit after said positioning member is placed around the patients head. The positioning member 6 functions as a spring to position the device of the invention on the patients head.

The shield 5 is inserted over the heating unit 4 onto the positioning member 6 resting on the flange 3 of the seal unit in order to protect the patient from hot wax.

The large end 7 of the heating unit 4 is then lit by a match 8 held by the hand 9 of the user. The heat produced by the heating unit 4 creates a thermal condition from the inserted part 1 of the seal unit to said heating unit and gently draws wax out of the ear canal of the patient,

The amount of wax to be extracted may be controlled by graduation marks provided on the outside of the heating unit 4. When the heating unit4 has burned to the desired graduation mark, the flame is extinguished.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A thermal ear wax extracting device, comprising a non-flammable tapered seal unit adapted to be partially inserted into an ear of a patient, the seal unit comprising plastic material having a substantially annular flange extending radially therefrom in an area between a part of the seal unit adapted to be inserted into the ear of the patient and a part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient;

a tapered tubular heating unit a multiple of times longer than the seal unit removably fitted onto the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear in a manner whereby said part of said seal unit extends a small fraction of the length of the heating unit in said heating unit, said heating unit being adapted to burn slowly to provide heat at the seal unit; and

a shield removably fitted onto the heating unit around the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear, said shield being interposed between the head of the patient. and the heating unit and having a diameter a multiple of times greater than that of the flange of the seal unit.

2. A thermal ear wax extracting; device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit comprises a light cloth strip dipped in hot paraffin wax and rolled into a spiral.

3. A thermal ear wax extracting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shield comprises a dish-shaped member having an aperture formed therethrough at its axis to permit it to fit onto the heating unit.

4. A thermal ear wax extracting device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a positioning member of resilient material of substantially C-shaped configuration having an aperture formed therethrough adjacent one end thereof, said positioning member fitting around the head of a patient with the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient passing through the aperture formed therethrough thereby positioning the device on the head of the patient. 

1. A thermal ear wax extracting device, comprising a non-flammable tapered seal unit adapted to be partially inserted into an ear of a patient, the seal unit comprising plastic material having a substantially annular flange extending radially therefrom in an area between a part of the seal unit adapted to be inserted into the ear of the patient and a part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient; a tapered tubular heating unit a multiple of times longer than the seal unit removably fitted onto the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear in a manner whereby said part of said seal unit extends a small fraction of the length of the heating unit in said heating unit, said heating unit being adapted to burn slowly to provide heat at the seal unit; and a shield removably fitted onto the heating unit around the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear, said shield being interposed between the head of the patient and the heating unit and having a diameter a multiple of times greater than that of the flange of the seal unit.
 2. A thermal ear wax extracting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit comprises a light cloth strip dipped in hot paraffin wax and rolled into a spiral.
 3. A thermal ear wax extracting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shield comprises a dish-shaped member having an aperture formed therethrough at its axis to permit it to fit onto the heating unit.
 4. A thermal ear wax extracting device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a positioning member of resilient material of substantially C-shaped configuration having an aperture formed therethrough adjacent one end thereof, said positioning member fitting around the head of a patient with the part of the seal unit adapted to extend outside the ear of the patient passing through the aperture formed therethrough thereby positioning the device on the head of the patient. 